The Venezuelan government expressed its interest in engaging in preliminary discussions with the United States to reinstate diplomatic missions, while US officials conducted an initial assessment in Caracas amidst ongoing security concerns.
Venezuela announced its decision to start an exploratory diplomatic process with the US, focusing on reestablishing diplomatic missions in both nations, emphasizing national sovereignty and the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace.
US officials confirmed that diplomatic and security personnel had visited Caracas to evaluate the conditions for potentially reopening the US Embassy, with preparations being made for a possible resumption of operations as directed by President Trump.
The Venezuelan statement, however, criticized Washington, accusing it of engaging in criminal and illegal aggression against Venezuela, leading to civilian and military casualties, including the alleged kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady, Cilia Flores, which it deemed a violation of international law.
Despite the diplomatic gestures, the US Embassy in Caracas maintained its highest-level travel advisory for Venezuela, warning of a volatile security situation and advising American citizens against traveling to the country due to severe risks such as wrongful detention, crime, civil unrest, and limited access to healthcare.
Following the withdrawal of US diplomatic personnel from Caracas in March 2019 amid a deepening political crisis, the US has continued to caution against travel to Venezuela and has been handling consular affairs through its embassy in Bogota, Colombia.
